Small bars and wine bars

The Ball and Chain is Fremantle's newest old pub and is one of the most important sites in Western Australia - it housed the first 75 convicts arrived in Fremantle on 1 June 1850. In 1896 the building on the site was first used as a Hotel and later became a well-known corner pub ‘Hubbles’ after its owner; a meeting place for the working class of Perth’s Fremantle suburb with boxing tournaments out the back and dock-workers picked up on the veranda who sat on the timber benches still outside today. Over the years, the Pub has been beautifully restored, highlighting…

Music lovers are in for a veritable feast throughout the ten days of the Fenians Fremantle and Freedom Festival. International acts and local artists will converge on our port city in a program put together by Fremantle’s own music legend, the double Grammy award-winning Lucky Oceans, and fellow musician Donough O’Donovan.
Headliners Martin Hayes and Declan O’Rourke both accepted invitations to perform because of the historical importance of the event - celebrating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the last convict ship to Australia, the Hougoumont, carrying 62 Irish Fenians.
Internationally renowned Irish fiddle player Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, one of the finest guitarists in traditional Irish music, are considered one of Irish music's most acclaimed duos of all time. Their adventurous, soulful interpretations of traditional tunes fittingly open the Festival at the John Curtin Auditorium on Friday 5 January. It’s a rare opportunity to hear traditional Irish music performed by masters of the genre. Aria award winner, songbird and folkloric explorer Kavisha Mazella returns home to support Hayes and Cahill in concert.
Irish folk sensation Declan O’Rourke, will play songs from across his career in his two concert performances, including a selection from his latest album, ‘Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine’. He will pen a song in commemoration of the of the arrival of the military Fenians in 1868.
There are plenty of quotes about Martin and Dennis for example: "Martin Hayes is one of the best fiddlers on the planet. Dennis Cahill is a subtle guitar master. Put aside your notion of Irish music...and just listen." NPR.
Declan is supported in his concert at the WA maritime Museum on 11 January by Fiona Rea whose songs are influenced by her Irish heritage and a lifelong love of music and its power to reach people. Rob Zielinski, supports Declan on 13 January at the John Curtin College of the Arts Theatre. Rob is a Perth based traditional Irish musician who will feature some lively jigs, reels, hornpipes, strathspeys and haunting slow airs.
Singer Aminah Hughes returns home from Ireland to share with us a collection of enchanting songs, both new and old, written during her time there along with some of her favourite songs from the Emerald Isle. Award winning poet and storyteller Jaya Penelope- a descendant of Fenian, James Kearney, transported to Fremantle in 1867 on board the Hougoumont joins Aminah in performance on 7 January at Kidogo Arthouse.
The next day ‘The Last Convict Ship’, a selection of stories and songs by one of Perth’s leading experts on Australian Fenian history, renowned Irish musician Brendan Woods will be performed at the Hougoumont Hotel in Bannister Street.
The Lucky Oceans and his Gaelic Gumbo Band will explore new creations mixing Irish and Louisiana sounds. Be the first to hear the world premiere of a band and repertoire made exclusively for the festival at Kidogo Arthouse on 12 January. Kidogo’s Kelp Bar will be running throughout the festival and will be home to spontaneous musical performances featuring Festival acts and local musicians.
The closing event and street party ‘The Feast of The Wild Goose’ features entertainment by the Freo’s own Rogues, playing their very own brand of Pogues magic to celebrate the end of an incredible ten days of Irish music.
Festival Program www.feniansfestival.com.au

As you wander through Fremantle in early January, make sure you listen carefully. You’ll hear the sweet sounds of one of Ireland’s greatest fiddlers, Martin Hayes and the echo back from his musical confidante, American guitarist Dennis Cahill as they capture the essence of traditional Irish music in a contemporary rhythm to uplift your spirits. Focus again and you’ll pick up the enchanting, rich melodious voice of gifted, Irish singer and songwriter Declan O’Rourke. If you know something about the hidden treasure spots of the West End, you might uncover the textured language of one of Ireland’s best loved poets, Tony Curtis.
There’s clearly something significant happening in Fremantle, to draw such fabulous Irish talent here. Indeed, there is! It’s a ten-day Irish cultural immersion, the first of its kind, called Fenians, Fremantle & Freedom Festival, commemorating a journey made 150 years ago by 62 Irish political prisoners – the Fenians.
The Fenians were young men, between 19 and 30, who grew up in Ireland in a time of starvation, death and forced evictions - the years of the great famine. Having exhausted all attempts to gain self-government through political means, they decided to fight for independence and they staged a rising. Their plot was uncovered, they were arrested, sentenced for treason, exiled from their homeland and transported to Western Australia.
After spending months in solitary confinement, it was a bitter-sweet relief when they boarded the very last convict ship to Australia, the Hougoumont, where they shared stories, organised concerts, wrote a newspaper called the Wild Goose, and looked out for each other. You might recognise the name Hougoumont, it’s that funky hotel in Bannister Street.
There’s clearly something significant happening in Fremantle, to draw such fabulous Irish talent here. Indeed, there is! It’s a ten-day Irish cultural immersion, the first of its kind, called Fenians, Fremantle & Freedom Festival...
They also dreamed of escape. The most famous of the Fenians, John Boyle O’Reilly did escape a year later, on an American whaler. He became the editor of a Boston newspaper and together with supporters in the US and Ireland, organised a crowd funding venture to purchase a whaler, the Catalpa, and rescue his mates from the bottom of the world, out of Fremantle Prison.
It’s a big story and there’s a big festival to commemorate and celebrate it. As well as the concerts, there’ll be a family day at the Maritime Museum, art exhibitions, Irish film, literature workshops, remarkable stories and of course, the Guinness …plenty of it on tap at the Festival Gardens and Kelp Bar at Kidogo Arthouse.
But you won’t be sitting still, there’s music to get your feet tapping and a traditional Irish ceili dance with an Indian Ocean sunset as the backdrop.
After 10 days of celebration and commemoration, you’ll have to get in quick to book a table at the primal food extravaganza and street party, the Feast of the Wild Goose, sponsored by Fremantle BID and supported by the Hougoumont Hotel and the Bannister St traders.
This 150 year old story of valuing your culture and looking after your friends is the one we still strive for here in Fremantle.
Fenians, Fremantle and Freedom Festival | 5-14 January 2018

We are a pizza bar situated by Freo harbour in the E Sheds. We have a wide variety of pizzas on offer, local beers, great views and not to mention our daily specials. Live music is always on throughout the weekend. So come drop in and say hi, enjoy the tunes, embrace the sun, grab a delicious pizza and of course, a cold one. We also have a range of wines and spirits on offer. If you're lucky enough we may even make you a cocktail 😁

A cosy snug, a wee dram, a good book. Is there a better way to pass a winter’s afternoon in Freo? Here’s our picks. Nook: The Local HotelBook: Fremantle Football, The Origins 1885-1904. By Dr Norman Ashton(New Edition Bookshop) Colloquially known as Helen’s Bar after a former regular, this cosy snug has night cap written all over it: fire place, Chesterfields, plush sofas. If it’s game day, the contest will be on the front bar’s big screen. More reflective moments can be spent in the cloistered surrounds of the Whiskey Bar, cradling a single malt Yamazaki and–if you really can’t…

Come experience North Fremantle’s brand new event space. Lovingly restored, and artfully designed, this grand heritage building offers the perfect setting to celebrate your wedding, engagement party, birthday, corporate event or anything else you can think up. With three distinct areas – an open bar, intimate lounge and hidden courtyard – Guildhall can accommodate up to 120 guests for a cocktail party, or 50 for a long table feast. Please contact our dedicated Event Manager to find out more about holding your event function at Guildhall, or check our Facebook page for upcoming events.

Holy Smokes is a small bar styled as an American bbq joint. We smoke everything in house and make our own bbq and chipotle sauces. The menu is designed around smaller plates for sharing as well as the bigger option of ribs, (brisket and pulled pork by the 100g). The bar has its base in rare bourbons and American whiskeys, along with a strong wine and cocktail list for our female patrons. There is Dos Blockos (Melbourne) and Young Henry's natural lager(Sydney) on tap.

Mrs Brown is an intimate neighbourhood bar housed in an old Victorian terrace in North Fremantle. We offer a cosy, relaxed and friendly space to catch up with friends for a drink. Whether by the open fire in winter, or in the afternoon sun in our courtyard in summer, Mrs Brown is comfortable and welcoming year round. With an emphasis on wine, we also offer a generous selection of premium spirits, beers and ciders. Try one of our cheese platters, or for something more substantial, order a delicious burger and chips from Flipside Burgers next door.

My Hustle is a vibrant co-working community, transforming one of South Fremantle’s most beautiful bars during the working week. It brings together local people doing incredible things, gives them a motivating place to work and access to relaxed meeting spaces and break out areas. This is co-working with a difference: Casual rates alongside customised plans to help combine co-working with YOUR life All day barista coffee and tea included for you and your guests + a cash bar A local discounts program to help you and your business thrive Most importantly it opens a world of collaborations, referrals, inspiration and…

Percy Flint is South Fremantle's newest place for quality drinks and food. A friendly neighbourhood bar with ten craft beers on tap, amazing cocktails and carefully selected wines accompanied by top shelf pub grub and delicious bar snacks. Sun-drenched beer garden in summer and roaring fire in winter. Check it out at 211 South Terrace. Open Tuesday to Sunday.

This new small bar is located in Freo's West End. With polished concrete floors and a choice of seating areas this chic bar oozes Freo charm. Offering a variety of beer, wine and cocktails and a share style menu.

Discover the spice and spirit of Asia in the heart of East Fremantle at Sweetwater Rooftop Bar. With a stunning view over the harbour the new rooftop venue boasts the exciting collaboration between Ben Tua- former bar manager/cocktail guru from Perth's Mechanics Institute and Leigh Power- former headchef at Melbourne's Gingerboy. Open Wednesday through Friday. Food available in bar daily - 12noon onwardsFood available in restaurant – Wednesday Dinner Only, Thursday – Sunday Lunch & Dinner

Central Freo's new home of live music! Relaxed vibes and live music four nights a week in our subterranean fun cave. Good times underground - and that's just the start! The music is live & original, the bar has a great spirit range, and the wine, beer & food complete the package. An intimate music venue showcasing live original bands, and discerning DJ's.

Experience a warm and relaxed atmosphere at our Fremantle restaurant, The Harbour Master, located at the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle. January Specials Are you heading down to Fremantle during the January School Holidays? When you dine in The Harbour Master restaurant, kids meals are only $5! Available Monday to Friday from 6pm onwards. We'll keep the kids happy with our yummy meals while you enjoy Willow Bridge Estate wines matched with your three-course meal for only $25 per person (January only). Dinner in Fremantle The contemporary menu celebrates the best of local produce including delicious share plates, perfectly grilled WA steaks, fresh seafood,…

The Mantle is a place that's buzzing with activity all day, where you can grab a coffee in the morning, drop by for lunch partake in a workshop and then come back for dinner and drinks in the evening, all served up by interactive different business. The setting is a beautiful historic warehouse transformed with the use of innovative and repurposed structures.

Our menu is truly unique-each dish is served as a ball to ensure that every guest enjoys a mouthful of exceptional flavours. The Meatball Bar food and drink menu is a combination of flavours and tastes from around the world. Let the love of food, good times, family and friends be shared by us all at The Meatball Bar.

Small bars and wine bars

You don’t have to go to one of the larger Fremantle pubs to enjoy a drink in Freo, there are lots of little bars and wine bars oozing character and charm. Sample a fine wine, a boutique beer or a delicious cocktail. Many of the bars also serve tapa’s style food and small bites. The perfect way to relax if you’ve been to some of the busy Fremantle tourist attractions or Fremantle shops.

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